Kelly and Jodie Barnes.

A police officer who attended a property where a man was attacked by two women and left to die, alerted senior officers after discovering blood stained footprints, a court has heard.

Police formally identify murder victim as Barry Reeve, Corton Road, Norwich

The body of 67-year-old Barry Reeve was found by officers who were called to a property on Corton Road, off City Road at about 3pm on February 26 last year.

Kelly Louise Barnes, 32, and Jodie Barnes, formerly Ramsbottom, 31, who are civil partners and from Bixley Close, have gone on trial at Norwich Crown Court accused of Mr Reeve’s murder, a charge they both deny.

Norwich Crown Court has heard Mr Reeve, a former bus conductor for Eastern Counties, was attacked and left to die in his home on February 9, about two weeks before he was eventually found.

Giving evidence today, PC Stuart Lyle said he attended the address at about 3.05pm on February 26 last year and was met by the victim’s daughter Julie Reeve.

Miss Reeve had been to see her father and had gone in the back door but got ventured no further after she saw blood on an internal door, which was ajar, and smashed eggs on the floor.

PC Lyle said he too entered the back door, saw the internal door and saw dried blood on the floor and door frame.

He then saw the body of Mr Reeve, who was not wearing any foot wear, on the floor of the lounge area.

A distressed Miss Reeve then left the court as PC Lyle went on to confirm it was “obvious” Mr Reeve had passed away.

PC Lyle said he noticed “bloodied footwear marks” which did not appear to match any of the other shoes in the property and contacted the control room.

The officer was then instructed to ensure the area was sealed and start a crime scene lock.

The trial continues.

For more on the trial see tomorrow’s paper.